May Day!

And my birthday

May 1, 2009 | I've always taken perverse pleasure that my birthday falls on May Day, traditionally "an occasion for popular and often raucous celebrations" (WikiPedia). Its pagan origins are a delicious counterpoint to all the "religiosity" (to use Bill Maher's term) that pervades US culture.

May Day"

"As a day of celebration the holiday has ancient origins, and it can relate to many customs that have survived into modern times. Many of these customs are due to May Day being a cross-quarter day, meaning that in the Northern Hemisphere it falls approximately halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice." It also coincides with International Workers Day, commemorating the labor movement and, in the old USSR an occasion for rattling sabers and parading missiles.

Wikipedia

It is only in recent years that I have resumed acknowledging, much less celebrating, my birthday. While Jack Benny claimed always to be 39, I simply refused to even admit that I had birthdays. In fact, I was so successful at denial that when I finally decided to commemorate my 50th birthday by running the Vancouver Marathon, which that year was on May 1st, I subsequently learned that it wasn't my 50th birthday at all, rather my 51st. My how time flies when you're in denial!

Now that I am well into my middle ages, I find each birthday something to take note of. It means, after all, that I have enjoyed another year of a good life. It's a time to savor one's good fortune and, contrary to romantic nostalgia for "the good old days," it's a time to appreciate "the good new days."

I'm not known for "raucous celebrations" — they usually require staying up past my bedtime. But at the ripe old age of 66, perhaps I'll make Jim's coffee mug cake, though I don't think there'll be room for enough candles.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!

Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT!

*No one makes any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of this recipe inasmuch as it has been forwarded a gazillion times on the internet. Any warranties expressed or implied of the suitability of this recipe and the likelihood of it producing anything fit for consumption, human or otherwise, are specifically disclaimed. The use of this recipe may produce unintended side effects including gastrointestinal upset, nausea, unpleasant after-tastes in the mouth, or chocolatey farts.